Clean sheet and away point for Teversal

The players were greeted by rain and flashes of lightning as they ran out onto the Lower Packington Road ground, making the ball skid off the now wet and lush surface.

So the game started off at a fast tempo with the first shot in anger coming from the home when McCourt 25 yard effort fiercely bounced in front of Turton who fielded the effort well to dispel the danger.

Teversal were lacking the accuracy of passing that they showed the week before in their opening day victory and when a loose pass fell to Blair-Park he opted to hit a speculative looping effort again from distance, but this time it beat Turton who was saved by the angle and post.

The home side were playing a more direct approach and creating opportunities with McCourt the centre of the early exchanges.

The visitors in contrast were trying to play the ball around but without creating a goalscoring opportunity.

Halfway through the first period we saw more traditional weather return as the sun broke through the clouds and then unveiled a blue skyline.

The game became more stop-start as a number of mistimed challenges by both sides slowed the game down with good sensible refereeing ensuring the game continued to be played in good spirit.

Teversal did manage to put more pressure on the Ashby backline and a Bamford far post cross saw Preston produce a timely headed clearance to deny Wilkinson a goalscoring opportunity for the visitors.

On the half-hour mark a patient build saw Wilkinson having an effort whip across goal with home keeper Stone scurrying to see the effort go marginally wide.

A few minutes later Wilkinson again went close with a header from Bamford’s near post corner.

It was Ashby who then had a promising passing move with McCourt playing a neat one-two with Johnson before being denied by a routine save at the near post by Turton to end an even 45 minutes that both sides had their moments.

The second period started as the first ended with a good open contest.

Teversal created the first opening of note when Wilkinson was strong enough to hold off the attention of Benjamin before picking out Radford whose first team effort was well saved and a quick reaction by the keeper denied the Tevie striker another opportunity.

The home side created a great opportunity when Woodbine broke clear but could only guide effort wide of the advancing Tevie keeper and the goal.

That was shortly followed by Cordy failing to punish Turton, who parried a cross to the wide man who fired over as the custodian rushed back to guard his goal.

Both sides kept pushing for the elusive goal as the game entered the final 10 minutes.

Pickering produced a stunning strike that was met by an equally impressive save from Turton but, as the keeper grabbed the loose ball Cordy in his eagerness put in a rash challenge that on another day could have received red card and could count himself lucky to only pick up a yellow.

Ironically with his next effort Cordy hit the post with a great strike that beat Turton all ends up.

Danny Fletcher came off the bench and looked lively and managed to pick out Radford who fiercely shot first time across the goal beating Stone and marginally wide of the far post.

On the balance of play the draw was the right result on the day as it would have been harsh for either side to have lost the game.

Next up for Teversal is another away trip to face Graham Street Prims in the East Midlands Counties League Premier Division on Saturday (3pm).

ASHBY IVANHOE; Richard Stone, Ellis Benjamin (Dylan Young 83), Tom Nolan, Trafford Pickering (Alex Ford 90), Joe Stubbs, Ellis Preston, Mitch Woodbine, Jordan McCourt, Kane Pedan (Scott Cordy 14), Josh Johnson, Angus Blair-Park. Subs Not Used; George Clamp, Josh Hammond.

TEVERSAL; Josh Turton, Luke Bacon, James Travis (Tom Moody 74), Tom Laister, Sam Lavelle, Brett Watson, James McCann, Josh Radford, Matt Wilkinson (Danny Fletcher 68), Kurt Bamford, Sean Dickinson (Gareth Pope 80). Subs Not Used; Dean Short, Craig Charlesworth.

REFEREE; Gary Lord

ATTENDANCE; 87

TEVIE MAN OF THE MATCH: Brett Watson.